Manchester City players 'can't believe' Gareth Barry was allowed to leave for Everton, reveals Leighton Baines

The England midfielder has joined the Toffees on a season long loan

2. Gareth Barry (Everton, v Chelsea, Saturday) Roberto Martinez’s re-shaping of Everton moves to a new phase with the arrival of a passer in Barry, rescued from the purgatory of Manchester City’s bench. The next st (PA)

Everton defender Leighton Baines claims loan signing Gareth Barry's Manchester City team-mates were surprised he was allowed to leave the club.

The 32-year-old had an impressive debut in Saturday's 1-0 win over Chelsea at Goodison Park and greater things are expected of the midfielder.

"I've known Gareth through the England set-up and I've always rated him really highly," Baines told evertontv.

"The City lads on the last international break were saying that they can't believe that they haven't kept him and he doesn't play for them.

"That says enough about his worth for any team he plays in.

"Everyone rates him who he plays with and he has come in and shown what a great asset he is going to be for us.

"We've seen straight away what he can give to the team.

"I'm sure Gaz will tell you that he has not played as much as he would have liked and he has already produced a performance like that.

"If he plays like that most weeks, he is going to add to the team."

Barry believes the victory over Chelsea, the first win of new manager Roberto Martinez era after three successive draws, can provide a platform.

"It's a great thing to build on and it will give the lads a lot of confidence going into the next game," he said.

PA